20 Things To Do In Honolulu Hawaii

Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the world, boasting around four million yearly visitors. Welcoming visitors with the Duke Kahanamoku statue, the beach offers a breathtaking view of the Le'ahi (Diamond Head Statue).

Covered with soft honey-colored sand, and high waves, Waikiki Beach is a great place to learn and perform water activities in Honolulu like bodyboarding, surfing, and outrigger canoeing. While on the beach, non-swimmers can also enjoy the waves while staying under the supervision of the lifeguards.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is an iconic unit of the National Park System, located just 10 miles northeast of Downtown Honolulu in Oahu. It is a historic landmark that consists of five different memorials. Visitors can explore the tragic incidents through a well-documented film and memorial sculptures at the visitors' center and park.

While in the memorial, visitors can also take a closer look at the sunken battleship, situated at the bottom of the sea, just below the memorial. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a must-visit place for history geeks.

However, booking of the free tickets might be required due to the large number of visitors every day. Despite the challenge of overcrowding, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is one of the major attractions in Honolulu Hawaii.

Widely recognized as the Le'ahi in Hawaii, the Diamond Head Statue is an outcome of a natural disaster that occurred almost 300,000 years ago. Beyond its natural beauty, the spot houses one of the most scenic hiking trails in the O'ahu's skyline.

While on the hiking trail, visitors are offered a heart-welming view of the Waikiki beach and once at the top, the view of the Pacific Ocean offers another great experience. 

Meanwhile, visitors can also plan a helicopter tour to fly directly over the carter in a hassle-free way. Overall, visiting the Diamond Head Statue Monument is the must-do stuff in Honolulu.

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, located just about 10 miles east of Waikiki is a protected marine life conservation area. Named after its unique curved bay, it is another must-visit family-friendly- spot while on a trip to Hawaii.

It offers visitors a great experience with exotic fishes, marine life, and corals. While on a trip to Hanauma Bay, visitors can also have a closer look at the immature turtles and parrotfish.

Situated along the volcanic cone, the bay is naturally protected from wind and waves and has been a calm and quiet place to relax for a long time. However, due to overcrowding in the past, the government has been regulating the bay, controlling its operation and visitor count every day.

Resting at the heart of Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is another historic place operating since January 1999. Initially recognized as a meeting place of Allied and Axis during World War II, it has a unique spot in the world's history.

With a historic significance, the place caters to more than 10 million visitors every year from every corner of the world. The Battleship Missouri Memorial offers visitors a closer view of the war artifacts and exhibits, complementing the display of the ship.

Visitors can have a great time while exploring more about history alongside knowledgeable tour guides, making it one of the must-visit attractions in Honolulu.

Located around 6 miles away from the Koko Carter Trail is another great destination, the Makapu's Point Lighthouse Trail. It is an outstanding and one of the most popular 2.5 miles out and back trails near Waimanalo, Oahu.

This free trail is a moderately difficult hiking trail that offers a stunning view of the Kaiwai State Scenic Shoreline and the Pacific Ocean. It even offers a view of landmarks like Koko Carter, Molokai, Lanai, and Makapuu Beach on a bright sunny day.

The trail leads to the iconic red Makapu Lighthouse built in 1990. Visitors can also spot seabirds and whales between November and May if the trip is timed perfectly.

Another great hiking spot for nature lovers is the 1.6-mile round-trip to the Koko Head Carter with more than 1000 steps throughout the trail. This particular trail is comparatively tougher and mostly suitable for young and active hikers.

Despite its difficult route, the summit of the trail offers a panoramic view of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and Diamond Head Statue Monument.

While planning a trip to the Koko Head Carter it is better to carry all the necessary belongings as the steep climb is mostly empty due to some physical challenges.

Lanikai Beach, situated about 15 miles northeast of Downtown Honolulu is one of the two most popular beaches of the island. It offers a family-friendly environment and calm waters to perform different water activities during a trip to Honolulu.

The beach is mostly located in the residential parts of Kailua providing a relatively relaxing and less crowded environment than Waikiki Beach. However, the location of the beach has influenced the availability of facilities like parking and shopping.

Despite these limitations, the soft sand and the beautiful water of Lanikai Beach often win over the visitors. Moreover, the beach offers a great experience of shoreside eating with different restaurants and cafes around.

Puowaina, once recognized as the place for human sacrifice to the Polynesian gods has now become the resting place of the soldiers who served in the U.S. military. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is one of the major places located in the Puowaina which houses several moving carters.

As a major resting spot for Notable veterans like Ernie Pyle (the famous World War II Correspondent) and Stanley Armour Dunham (the maternal grandfather of former President Barack Obama), the memorial carters more than 5 million visitors each year.

With a peaceful setting along with the artifacts, visitors often find this place as an informative spot. Not just the informative part, the place is also covered with scenic views from around which attracts numerous visitors every year.

Another great place to visit while in Hawaii is the Bishop Museum. This place highlights the cultural and historic significance of Hawaii. Founded by Charles Reed Bishop in 1889, the museum contains more than 25 million artifacts related to Hawaii and the Pacific.

During a short visit, travelers can learn more about the Hawaiin gods from the three-story Hawaiin exhibit and a planetarium. Apart from that, the museum can be a great place for history geeks as well as kids in high school, interested in exploring Hawaiian history.

Moreover, different artifacts around the property can help visitors understand more about the cultural differences and importance of Hawaii. With a deep connection with the local history and culture, visiting the Bishop Museum has made it to the list of things to do in Honolulu.

Manos Falls, a 150-foot tall waterfall situated along the Manos Falls trail is located on the island of Oahu. This scenic fall is accessible through a 1.5-mile round trip hiking trail which could take an hour or two to complete.

Starting from McCully Street, the gravel road guides visitors through the trail. Although the hiking trail might lower your mood, the rainforest along the route is out of the world as seen in the "Jurassic Park" movie.

And after all the effort you finally reach Manos Falls which will fill you with joy. However, the muddy trail might end up ruining your new shoes so it is better to put on an old one with great grip.

Iolani Palace is a 10-room historic house, museum, and National Historic Landmark. Built in 1882, the palace offers insights into the reign of King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Lili'uokalani. The palace features ancient architecture and decorative from around the world.

Some of the most popular features are the Hawaiian wood staircase, portraits of Hawaiian kings and queens, and the royal thrones. While exploring the palace, visitors are often attracted by the glimpse of the Hawaiian culture offered by the palace.

As the only remaining royal residence, the Iolani Palace gets more than 60 thousand visitors each year. However, during the tour inside the palace visitors are bound by a few rules to protect the place from any destruction.

Kailua Beach, a place mostly popular among surfers is a white, shaded sandy beach covering a total area of 2.5 miles. As an open island, the beach is mostly windy and has great waves for surfers.

It is a great place to hang around with friends and family while enjoying kite surfing or windsurfing in the perfect waves.  Apart from that the beach also has ample facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, and free parking for everyone planning to spend a day around.

For non-surfers and family, the beach also has a few restaurants and cafes alongside the shore to enjoy the magnificent view of the beach and the sea.

Another must-do stuff in Hawaii is to visit to Polynesian Cultural Center. Spanning a land area of 42 acres, it is a place to explore the rich heritage of the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti.

The entire area of the cultural center represents six different islands housing numerous villages around. The place mostly portrays traditional music, arts, foods, architecture, and other numerous activities for the visitors.

However, visitors are required to pay an entry fee of $89.95 for adults and $76.19 for children (ages 4-11) to enjoy a joyful trip around the center. Although the entry fee might seem a bit expensive, the tour through the villages is a worthwhile experience at the allotted price point.

As one of the largest coral-boasting cities in the State of Hawaii, two of the most famous activities in Honolulu are without any doubt snorkeling and scuba diving. And for that, O'hau is a great place where, with just one dive into the turquoise water, the world around changes entirely.

While in the water, visitors will find different species of fish and bigger marine creatures like dolphins and turtles. For divers and snorkelers, some of the best locations include Snorkel Bob's, Aqua Zone Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Hawaii Beach Time.

Apart from diving and snorkeling, the beaches in O'ahu offer multiple different activities like surfing, swimming, and other water activities, along with a guide if required.

The Waimea Valley, reachable through a 3.5-mile hike through the flat, paved road is a great spot for visitors interested in outdoor activities. Besides, the valley offers some breathtaking views along with picnic and swimming spots at the waterfall around the area. 

After spending time at the waterfall, visitors can also explore Waimea Bay Beach, enjoying the waves and heartwarming scenic views of the shore. With a short hike and a great environment, Waimea Valley has a lot to offer, including scenery, 53-themed botanic gardens, and local wildlife exploration.

Situated at the south end of Waikaki, the Kap'lolani Regional Park stands as a great spot to spend time with the local animals in the Honolulu Zoo. The park also includes the Waikiki Shell, where visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts during their trip.

Apart from that, the park area houses tennis courts, soccer fields, an archery range, and a 3-mile jogging course, making it a suitable choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It is a popular destination among the travelers as well as the locals interested in sports.

The Kualoa Ranch is a must-visit place for those interested in horse-riding, e-bike tours, zip line tours, or a jungle safari. The place offers a bled of all these sports along with a stunning view of beautiful landscape. The 4000 acres of the ranch area is also a suitable place for adventure seekers.

The 4000-acre property also offers water sports activities like catamaran tours and kayak and paddleboard rentals for those who prefer watersports over others. Moreover, the working cattle ranch inside the property adds extra adventure to the trip.

For the surfing geeks, the O'ahu Surfing is a must do thing while in Hawaii. With some of the greatest surfing waves, O'ahu has been the first choice for professional surfers from all around the world. It is also the spot where the Super Bowl of surfing, the Triple Crown, is held each year during the winter months.

Visitors from all around the world can enjoy these events as well as water sports activities of their preference including, surfing, swimming, and many more. Meanwhile, planning a trip during the winter could come in handy for the surfing enthusiasts.

Spread across 400 verdant acres of land, the Ho'omaluhai Botanical Garden is a house for plants from major tropical regions around the world. Opened in 1982, The area offers a scenic view of the cliff, lush gardens, and lakes full of fish.

After enjoying the waves for multiple days, a visit to the garden could be a great way to spend your day. With greenery all around the field, visitors can enjoy a picnic party along with friends and family while enjoying the peaceful and relaxing environment.

It is a must-visit place for nature lovers as well as for those tired of city crowds, waves, and beaches.